Every modern browser has a special setting with which the browser does not save anything while surfing the internet. This is useful if you check your mail on someone else's computer, but also if you let someone else use the internet on your computer.
Step 1: Private Mode
If you surf in private mode, no traces of your browsing session will be stored in your browser's history. The private mode is very useful if you are working on someone else's computer for a while. This way, if you forget to log out, the person who takes a seat behind the device after you can use your Facebook, Gmail/Hotmail or other services. All you have to do is activate private mode. A new browser window will open and anything you do in it will be automatically 'forgotten' when you close the window.
Do you let someone else sit behind your computer? Also open private mode. This prevents someone from 'polluting' your browser history or unsubscribing from your Gmail account because he/she wants to use Gmail.
Step 2: Hotkey
Google Chrome calls the private mode Incognito Window. You open an Incognito window via New Incognito Window with the settings icon (top right of the screen). You can also use the key combination Ctrl+Shift+N.
In Internet Explorer, the private mode is called InPrivate Browsing. Click on the gear icon and choose Security / InPrivate Browsing. You can also use the key combination Ctrl+Shift+P.
Firefox users have an option called Private Browsing. You activate this with the choice New private window behind the settings icon (top right of the screen). The keyboard shortcut is the same as in Internet Explorer.
Were you not aware of the existence of private mode? Then you can instruct your web browser to forget your 'tracks'. You can specify what information the browser is allowed to remember (for example, your passwords) and what you want it to be forgotten (for example, your browsing history). You activate the cleaning aid in all mentioned browsers via Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
Use a private session to prevent the web browser from saving data.
Step 3: Automatically clean
Would you rather not have your web browser remember too much data? Then the utility CCleaner can clean your tracks for you automatically. Install CCleaner and launch the program. Go to Options / Settings and put a check next to Automatically clean computer during startup. In addition to your web browser, CCleaner will also automatically empty your recycle bin and remove other leftovers, such as unnecessary temporary files.
